Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 test: our full review – Connected Watches/Bracelets

For 2022, Samsung has simplified its range of connected watches with a Pro model focused on sports and a simpler, but also cheaper model, the Galaxy Watch 5 present here. We’ve already tested the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. We will focus here on the main differences to note: autonomy and design. As a little bonus, we also got to test the watch with a Galaxy smartphone to see what the Seoul firm brings to its ecosystem. Let’s go.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Technical sheet

This test was conducted using a watch loaned by Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Design

Design-wise, the watch we’re testing is the smaller 40mm version. There is also a 44 mm diameter model. First observation: The Galaxy Watch 5 looks like its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 4. We keep the double horn system that runs around the case and attaches to the bracelet.

The latter was slightly improved for the occasion. Still in silicone, it has a pin buckle clasp. Concretely, once past the clasp, you can wedge the end of the bracelet by passing it through a hole provided for this purpose. A very good system.

Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch 5 is still a pleasure to wear. It’s a lightweight watch that’s easy to forget on the wrist. There is no design fault to report, the heart sensor is well hidden at night and therefore does not interfere with sleep. Let’s add that the Galaxy Watch 5 has an IP68 certification that prevents it from being removed every time you shower or swim (in the swimming pool).

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Autonomy

The biggest difference with the Pro model is clearly held in autonomy, because the Galaxy Watch 5 has only 284 mAh. A gatherer that seems small next to the Galaxy Watch 5 44 mm with 410 mAh and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro showing 590 mAh.

To briefly summarize, in the model we tested, it will take more than one day of autonomy, no more. As soon as you ask for it for better use, like running with integrated GPS or by activating the screen always-onwe quickly fall into a full day.

For example, on a day off, I unplugged the watch at noon when it was at 100%. To push it a bit to its limits, I decided to use it a bit like a mini-smartphone, which is the same idea behind these smart watches. So I downloaded a hundred songs from Spotify, then activated the permanent heart activity monitoring and the screen always-on. I also did 15 minutes of physical activity with GPS and music on the watch. I also listened to music for 45 minutes outside of the race. Verdict: at 9:53 pm, I have 6% autonomy left. Clearly, with less than 10 hours of heavy use, the watch barely had a few minutes before it shut down completely.

Fortunately, an energy saving mode is offered. This one is more compelling, even though it cuts out most of the cool features. We lost our screen always-on, tracking stress, heart rate and brightness both decrease. In exchange for all this, the watch will lose about 25 to 30 points of autonomy per day without using it.

Refill

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is sold with a proprietary cable that charges the watch by induction. It is also Qi compatible and it is also possible to charge the watch with a recent Galaxy smartphone. through induction charging. Connected to a 25W Samsung charger, I was charged in just over an hour. We are far from fast charging, which is even more unfortunate when you have to refuel once a day.

In detail, here are the percentages gained on the Galaxy Watch 5 starting at 0%:

• 18% after 10 minutes;
• 36% after 20 minutes;
• 58% after 30 minutes;
• 74% after 40 minutes;
• 90% after 50 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Health Features

For the health and sports activity part, the Galaxy Watch 5 fully integrates the technical sheet of the Pro by integrating accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, geomagnetic sensor for compass, impedance analysis sensor bioelectric, for fat mass rate . , an electrocardiogram, a blood pressure monitor and a heart rate monitor. All this makes it possible to measure your number of steps and your heart rate, but also to orient you, to show your fat mass rate, to perform an electrocardiogram, to measure your pressure of blood or to measure your blood oxygen saturation.

Heart rate monitoring

Samsung’s watch is more consumer-focused than its Pro counterpart. However, who says connected watch says a big focus on health. Here’s the giver heart activity monitoring in an uphill running sequence then walking downhill (in red) by comparison with a benchmark heart rate monitor, the Garmin HRM-Pro (in blue).

It can be seen that the watch has a relatively long “warm-up” time of about 5 minutes before settling to a value closer to the belt. The bracelet also shows a certain latency before adapting to heart rate changes, however, nothing scary for a non-sports watch. However, the values ​​remain close to what the belt shows, showing on average two beats lower and striving to reach the actual maximum level.

GPS tracking

The watch’s GPS tracking is of good quality: it doesn’t take shortcuts and seems to refresh the GPS point regularly. On the other hand, it clearly lacks precision when it comes to pinpointing the exact place one is located. Judge for yourself on this map comparing a smartphone GPS (far from perfect, but better) and a watch in orange.

Features reserved for Samsung smartphones

Unfortunately, Samsung has reserved some more advanced health features for its recent Galaxy smartphone users (under One UI 4.1.1).

They go through the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is available in the Galaxy Store. The easiest to use is an electrocardiogram. Its purpose is to check your heartbeat closely and determine whether or not you have atrial fibrillation. The application is quite clear and honest and explains well the results obtained, while advising in case of doubt to consult a doctor. You can also share the results in pdf very easily.

For blood pressure, it’s a bit more complicated, as you’ll first need to calibrate the watch with a blood pressure monitor.

Be careful if you live in DOM-TOM, many users from Martinique, Réunion or Guadeloupe complain about the Health Monitor application stating that it does not want to launch in their geographical area. Also note that the application requires you to use a mobile connection and refuses to launch when connected to Wi-Fi.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5For the rest…

For the rest of this test, I will refer you to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro test conducted by my colleague Geoffroy, because everything that will be discussed is developed there in more detail. In fact, the watches completely share the following points: they both run on Wear OS 3 with the advantage of being able to install many applications, they can both make calls, connect via Bluetooth 5.2, Wi- Fi 4 and share almost the same screen ( apart from its size).

In a few words, Wear OS 3 is a real pleasure to handle. It is not rare that someone wonders about the possibility of performing an action and that one finds a few seconds later, surprised, that this function is well and truly understood.

Browsing the Play Store right inside the watch allows you to step away from the smartphone medium a bit to really dive into your watch. I even tried the running experience with just my watch, some music downloaded from YouTube Music and Buds. You can answer text messages by typing your text, you can answer calls, in short, the Galaxy Watch 5 is a resolutely versatile watch. Several dials, oscillating from the very graphic to the one stuffed with health information, crown this magnificent impression.

On the other hand, we sincerely regret two elements: the disastrous autonomy that destroys some basic functions, such as sleep monitoring, or music downloads, while it takes away from the battery. And as the main competitor to the Apple Watch, we still expect more fluidity. However, the watch often accumulates too long loading times and significant lags. Nothing makes it unusable, but the user experience loses a few points.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Price and release date

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is available at a price of 299 euros for the 40 mm version and 329 euros for the 44 mm version. Both versions with LTE cost 349 and 379 euros respectively.